Nadal, Tsitsipas cruise to Last 16 on Day Six

World number two, Rafael Nadal booked his Australian Open Round of 16 place with a 7-5 6-2 7-5 straight sets victory over America’s Cameron Norrie in the third round of the tournament. Nadal will now take on Italy’s Fabio Fognini in the fourth round of the tournament.

Fabio Fognini defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets 6-4 6-3 6-4 as he progressed into the last 16 of the tournament.

Greek world number 6, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Ukraine’s Mikael Ymer in straight sets in the third round to qualify for the Round of 16 where he will now face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev narrowly escaped an upset as he defeated Filip Krajinovic 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-0 in their Australian Open third round meeting to set up a fourth round tie against America’s Mackenzie McDonald.

Italian world number 9, Matteo Berrettini defeated Karan Khachanov 7-6 7-6 7-6 to set up a mouthwatering clash with Kostas Tsitsipas in the fourth round of the competition.

In the women’s event, world number one Ashleigh Barty defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-4 to advance past the third round and set up a last 16 clash against Shelby Rogers.

Belgium’s Elise Mertens knocked out world number 11, Belinda Bencic in straight sets 6-2 6-1 to qualify for the fourth round of the tournament where she will face Karolina Muchova.

Elina Svitolina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-4 6-0 to book her place in the last 16 of this year’s Australian Open. She will face America’s Jessica Pegula in the fourth round.

Jessica Pegula continued her upward march as she defeated Kristina Mladenovic 6-2 6-1 to book her place in the fourth round of the competition.

Karolina Muchova defeated fellow Czech Karolina Pliskova 7-5 7-5 to book her round of 16 place in the tournament.